Sixty-four Middlesex Community College students, with GPAs
of 3.7 or higher, were inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor
society for two-year colleges.

Recognized during the PTK Spring Induction Ceremony on the
Bedford campus, the new honor society members were welcomed by Clea Andreadis,
MCC’s Associate Provost of Instruction and Assessment.

President James Mabry, Phil Sisson, Provost and Vice
President of Academic and Student Affairs, and David Kalivas, Director of MCC’s
Commonwealth Honors Program, gave opening greetings.Karen Oster, Chairwoman of Performing Arts,
gave the keynote address.

Leading the induction of new members were PTK President Diana
Santana, Vice President Pui Lo, and Secretary Evan Rees.

During the ceremony, each student was called on stage to
light a candle and receive their PTK certificate from President Mabry. As a
group, the members recited the PTK Initiation Pledge.

Steven Rossi, Director of Leadership Development &
Student Activities, gave closing remarks. A reception with friends and family
followed the ceremony.

The new members join the 110 MCC students who were inducted
into PTK in the fall semester.

So take the lead from Karen Oster and give it up for all of our PTK superstars!

A bit delayed because of this white powdery stuff that keeps falling from the heavens and burying us, but we couldn't let a special event pass without acknowledging the honors bestowed this week on MCC President Carole Cowan, finishing up this week after nearly 40 years at Middlesex, the last 25 as the college's third President!

The MCC Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name the downtown city campus, the main building that has been ground zero for Middlesex in Lowell throughout Cowan's presidency, the Dr. Carole A. Cowan Center.

The dedication became official this past weekend, as students, staff, faculty, friends, and community members joined Cowan for a speaking program and portrait unveiling on campus.

The day was made even more special with the participation of MCC students who gracious hosts for the community attendees

Cowan, with her son Kevin, braving the elements.

President Cowan, along with many of the members of her executive team.

The six-sided, brick-faced campus building at 33 Kearney Square was built in the mid 1980s by Wang Laboratories to house its computer-training programs. It was acquired by MCC at the end of that decade and opened as its primary Lowell campus property in 1991, the year after Cowan was voted MCC president. In addition to several floors of classrooms, a cafeteria, and technology center, the building also houses the Lowell campus administration offices.

While many spoke of the significance of the dedication of the property, everyone also spoke about how Cowan herself was the centerpiece for the college's growth, image, and success during her tenure as President.

Said Tsongas: "I cherished my time with Carole, and it was inspiring to watch how she tried to make sure that every event did would somehow benefit the students in the end. She has always put students first."

Senator Donoghue said "when I first went to the Massachusetts Senate, it was refreshing when I needed to speak on issues of higher education, because everyone across the state already knew not only of the reputation of Middlesex Community College, but they also knew you personally. You added to much credibility on the Massachusetts state landscape when you fought for more support for public higher education and especially your students."

Moloney said: "on behalf of all of the students who have passed through the doors of your college and continued their education with us at the University, I thank you, because you have helped make an immeasurable difference in the lives of thousands of young minds over the past 25 years."

Got a special memory or thank you to pass along to President Cowan? Add it to our comments below and say thanks or good luck in your own way!

Thanks for everything, President Cowan! It's been an unforgettable voyage and we wish you nothing but great fortune as you embark on this next phase of your life! Middlesex Community College will never forget you!

For the second time, Middlesex Community College has received the Carnegie Foundation’s multi-year Community Engagement Classification, which recognizes the college’s commitment to service and community engagement. Middlesex was selected as one of five Massachusetts community colleges to receive this reclassification distinction.

“This classification gives us a chance to look closely at a range of ways that we connect with the communities we serve,” said Carina Self, Assistant Dean of Social Sciences and Service-Learning. “We are thrilled to be among a small group of community colleges that have been through this process twice and hope we can continue to serve as a resource to other colleges as they grow their community-engagement initiatives."

At the reclassification announcement, the college community was joined by members of Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell, one of the MCC’s long-standing community partners, to mark the occasion by participating in a community art project.

MCC’s commitment to community service began with the college’s Service-Learning Program, a credit-bearing educational experience in which students participate in an organized activity that meets identified community needs, and then reflect on their service. First introduced in 1992, with a $2,500 grant and only one course, the program has grown remarkably. Currently, Middlesex offers more than 100 Service-Learning courses and has more than 350 active community partners. Over the last 20 years, more than 10,000 students have completed more than 234,000 service hours.

Middlesex was selected by Campus Compact, a nonprofit coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents committed to developing the civic engagement of students, as one of only 13 colleges in the nation to be studied as a model of exemplary practices of civic engagement.

Additionally, MCC has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll since its launch in 2006. The Honor Roll recognizes colleges and universities nationwide that support innovative and effective community service and service-learning programs.

To learn more about MCC’s Service-Learning Program and opportunities, contact Cynthia Lynch at 781-280-3556 orlynchc@middlesex.mass.edu.